Implement for manipulation of snap rings

ABSTRACT

A plier like tool for removal and replacement of snap rings such as the type which are frictionally or otherwise engaged about a bearing race or the like. The tool has pivotally related body members with an interconnecting adjustment rod located aft of an intermediate offset pivot. Pins are extended from the leading end of the tool for engagement with the ring.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,813,750 Kerr June 4, 1974 IMPLEMENT FOR MANIPULATION 0F 2,792,513 5/1957 Rashevsky 29/229 ux SNAP RINGS 3,040,420 6/l962 Kulp 29/229 [76] Inventor: Robert M. Kerr, PO. Box 1135,

Winter Garden, Fla. 32787 [22] Filed: Sept. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 290,314

[52] US. Cl. 29/229 [51 1 Int. Cl 323p 10/04 [58] Field of Search 29/229, 223

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.553.620 5/l95l Ycazell 29/229 UX Primary Examiner.lames L. Jones, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert G. McMorrow 57] ABSTRACT A plier like tool for removal and replacement of snap rings such as the type which are frictionally or otherwise engaged about a bearing race or the like. The tool has pivotally related body members with an interconnecting adjustment rod located aft of an intermediate offset pivot. Pins are extended from the leading end of the tool for engagement with the ring.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention pertains to snap ring removal and replacement, specifically to a plier like implement for controlled distension of a snap ring, which implement serves to hold the ring in open position during service operations, and to permit accurate and safe replacement following such operations.

2. Statement of the Prior Art:

Prior proposals covering ring opening devices are exemplified in the below listed United States Pat. Nos.:

Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 1,477,677 Westman Dec. I8, 1923 2,455,165 Fcitl Nov. 30, 1948 2,792,622 Wurzel May 21, 1957 3,048,918 Kulp Aug. 14, 1962 3,365,782 Madeira Jan. 30, 1968 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The construction of the implement is specifically directed to prevention of relative warping of the components while in use, which malfunction is present in prior art arrangements and allows rings under some circumstances to disengage when distended and has often caused serious injury to mechanics and bystanders. Avoidance of this malfunction is accomplished in the present invention through micrometer like control of the rate of expansion and contraction of the ring by the incorporation of a screw means, in combination with a pivot means embodying abutting, flat surfaces.

A further advantage herein provided resides in the employment of reversible engagement contact pins with ends of differential dimension which adapts the implement to use with snap rings having openings of different sizes.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an implement constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention, a snap ring being shown in place thereon in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the implement;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged sectional view along lines 33 of FIG. 2, showing details of the adjustment means;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the mounting of the contact pins, on line 55 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view from the plane of the line 66 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Referring to the drawing in more detail, the tool or implement of this invention is generally designated therein by reference character 10. The implement 10 comprises similar first and second body members 12 and I4, each formed from a metallic casting, preferably of aluminum or other strong but lightweight material inasmuch as the implement is necessarily of substantial size in order to provide sufficient leverage for expansion of large rings.

The body members 12 and 14 are similar to one another. Each has a top end 16, 16, an intermediate section l8, l8, and a handle end 20, 20'. As shown best in FIG. 3, the body members are of substantially rectangular cross-section, having upper sides 22, 22, lower sides 24, 24', inner walls 26, 26', and outer walls 28, 28.

Projecting inwardly from the intermediate sections of the body members are pivot bosses 30 and 32. The boss 30 extends from the first body member 12 and has a side 34 which is substantially coplanar with the lower side 24. The boss is of reduced thickness relative to the body member and terminates in an upper surface 36, providing a ledge of arcuate form as at 32. The boss 32 of the second body member has a top surface substantially coplanar with the upper side 20', and a bottom surface 42 which bears slidably flush against the surface 36. This flush relationship of the slidable surfaces over a substantial area prevents relative twisting of the body members as they are pivoted relative to one another. An outwardly extending, rigidifying ridge member 44 projects from the surface 42, and is ar' ranged to conform generally to the curvature of the boss side wall 46. The latter of course, is conformably shaped with the ledge 38.

The bosses 30 and 32 have color lined apertures 48, formed therein. A pivot pin, in the form of a heavy screw 52 having a countersunk head 54 and a threaded end 56 extends through said color lined apertures, and a lock nut 58 is engaged thereon. The body members are thereby pivotally secured to one another for lateral relative pivotal movement.

The top ends l6, 16' of the body members each have a longitudinal bore 60, 60 formed therein and opening on said ends. Each of the bores is adapted to receive a contact pin 62, 62. The pins have opposite, reduced diameter ends 64 and 66 of respectively variant diameters, and are mounted in selected position by lock screws 68 (see FIG. 5). One side of the pins may be cut away, as at 70, when required by conditions of use. The pin ends 64 or 66 fit within openings in the snaprings, as described below. It will be noted that reversal of position of the pins permits use of the device with rings of various sizes other sets of pins being provided where necessary in order to further increase the range of operation of the implement.

At locations aft of the pivot bosses 30 and 32 and intermediate the same and the handle ends 20, 20, the body members have cylindrical openings 72, 72 which receivevertical cylindrical inserts 74, 74 of slightly smaller diameter. The inserts are engaged within the openings (or may be omitted in some instances), and the body members have lateral passageways 76, 76

which intersect the respective vertical openings 72,

72'. Each of the vertical cylindrical inserts has a threaded opening 78, 78 formed therein, which openings, when the inserts are suitably positioned, are adapted for coaxial alignment with the passageways 76 and 76', respectively.

A cross shaft 80 for micrometer-like adjustment of the relative position of the contact pin ends is provided. The shaft 80 is externally threaded and comprises a rod engaged threadedly with the screw threads ofthe openings 78 and 78'. The rod is of a length to exceed that required to span the distance between the body members and has an actuator or handle 82 at one end thereof, held in place by a lock screw 84. Spacing washers 86, 88, separate the handle from the body member 12, and lock nuts 90 and 92 with spacers 94, 96, and 98 retain the position of th rod relative to the handle member 12.

in FIG. 1, operation of the device in connection with a snap ring S having end openings 81 and S2 is shown. The ring S in this view is shown in open or distended position with the reduced diameter ends 64 of the contact pins 62 and 62 engaged in the openings S1 and S2. When it is desired to replace the ring, the handle 82 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction or toward the indicia 97 appearing on the handle member 12. Opening of a ring is accomplished through clockwise rotation of the handle, or toward indicia 99.

I claim:

1. A manual implement for placement and removal of snap rings, said snap rings being annular in form, having normally adjacent ends, having openings formed therein adjacent said ends, and being adapted for distension by spreading of said ends, the implement comprising:

a pair of elongate first and second body members each having a tip end, an intermediate section, and

a handle end; each of the body members having a pivot boss of reduced thickness projecting from its intermediate section, the pivot bosses including flush contact surfaces;

the respective pivot bosses having aligned apertures therein, and pivot pin means extending through said apertures whereby the first and second body members are pivotally secured together with said surfaces in flush pivotal relation;

the tip end of each body member having a longitudinal bore formed therein;

contact pins engaged in each of said longitudinal bores, said pins being reversible and provided with opposite ends of differential dimension for engage ment in openings of different sizes in the ends of the snap rings;

the body members at their handle ends having aligned, lateral passageways therein;

a cylindrical opening within each handle end intersecting its respective lateral passageway;

a cylindrical insert carried within each opening, said insert being threadedly bored at right angles to its longitudinal axis in alignment with a respective lateral passageway;

a cross adjustment bar comprising a rod with external thread means, threadably engaging both inserts and passing through said passageways and at least spanning the distance between the body members, said rod having actuation means at one end thereof to the outside of one handle end, whereby manual rotation of the rod serves to pivot the body members relative to one another about the pivot means under positive drive;

lock bolts threadably engaging said rod between the body members adjacent the actuation handle; and

spacing washers on said rod interposed between the handle and the first body member, and between the lock bolts and the first body member. 

1. A manual implement for placement and removal of snap rings, said snap rings being annular in form, having normally adjacent ends, having openings formed therein adjacent said ends, and being adapted for distension by spreading of said ends, the implement comprising: a pair of elongate first and second body members each having a tip end, an intermediate section, and a handle end; each of the body members having a pivot boss of reduced thickness projecting from its intermediate section, the pivot bosses including flush contact surfaces; the respective pivot bosses having aligned apertures therein, and pivot pin means extending through said apertures whereby the first and second body members are pivotally secured together with said surfaces in flush pivotal relation; the tip end of each body member having a longitudinal bore formed therein; contact pins engaged in each of said longitudinal bores, said pins being reversible and provided with opposite ends of differential dimension for engagement in openings of different sizes in the ends of the snap rings; the body members at their handle ends having aligned, lateral passageways therein; a cylindrical opening within each handle end intersecting its respective lateral passageway; a cylindrical insert carried within each opening, said insert being threadedly bored at right angles to its longitudinal axis in alignment with a respective lateral passageway; a cross adjustment bar comprising a rod with external thread means, threadably engaging both inserts and passing through said passageways and at least spanning the distance between the body members, said rod having actuation means at one end thereof to the outside of one handle end, whereby manual rotation of the rod serves to pivot the body members relative to one another about the pivot means under positive drive; lock bolts threadably engaging said rod between the body members adjacent the actuation handle; and spacing washers on said rod interposed between the handle and the first body member, and between the lock bolts and the first body member. 